UFC 147 results: Rich Franklin takes decision from Wanderlei Silva in another war

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – Rich Franklin said he didn’t think cage rust would be an issue after a 16-month layoff, and he proved to be right.

Instead, the issue was a resilient Wanderlei Silva, whom Franklin had to survive to win a unanimous decision on Saturday night in the pair’s rematch from Franklin’s win in the UFC 99 main event three years ago.

The 190-pound catch-weight fight took place at UFC 147 at Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It served as the main event on the pay-per-view following prelims that aired on Facebook and FX.

Franklin won with across-the-board scores of 49-46 from all three judges, winning his first fight back since a UFC 126 loss to Forrest Griffin.

Franklin spent much of the five-round fight controlling the pace, pushing forward against Silva in Silva’s home country of Brazil. But just when Franklin appeared to have things under control, picking Silva apart, Silva clipped Franklin with a pair of fights in the second round. He then put together a combination that had Franklin backing up and hurt, followed by a right hand that had Franklin on his backside.

Silva moved in, looking for the finish as the crowd cheered. Silva, a heavy fan favorite, naturally, especially considering he was fighting in front of his home fans for the first time since 2000, tried desperately to get the finish. But Franklin survived the round – barely.

Franklin said he didn’t remember much of the fight after Silva nearly finished him – or at least the third and fourth round.

“Honestly, I remember in between the second round and the next thing I know it’s the fifth round,” Franklin said. “I kind of like those fights. I remember my corner saying, ‘It’s the fifth round,’ and I’m like, ‘Cool – only one left.’ I don’t remember (the punch that knocked me down). When that kind of stuff happens, you remember bits and pieces.”

After three rounds, the total strikes were dead even at 79-79 – but it was clear that Silva had slowed down a bit in the third and fourth, and much of the fifth.

With a minute left in the fight, Silva tried to goad Franklin forward into a last-minute brawl – and he was successful. But it proved to be too little, too late, even though he was able to land a few shots.

Silva said trying to finish Franklin in the second burned him out – and cost him as the fight pushed on.

“I thought I was going to knock him out in the second round, and I was sorry I wasn’t able to,” Silva said. “Yes, I (burned myself out). I pushed it a bit too much. I really wanted to knock him out.”

Though the fight was at a catch-weight of 190 pounds, it was intended to be Franklin’s return to middleweight – where he said he now wants to make one last run at the belt he used to hold before he calls it quits.

“There was so much on this fight for me,” Franklin said. “I’ll talk to Dana, but the idea was to move back down (to 185) and maybe make a title run before I retire.”

Franklin (29-6 MMA, 14-5 UFC) won for the first time since knocking out Chuck Liddell at UFC 115 two years ago. Silva (34-12-1 MMA, 4-7 UFC) couldn’t put together a streak after his stoppage win over Cung Le this past November.

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